Erin Liberty was a liaison to the St. Clair Shores city council, now treasurer for the St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee, when the idea to clean up the ramps for I-94 was proposed more than 20 years ago, and today the cleanup is still going strong.
The volunteers who came out today cleared the litter and debris from the ramp at 10 Mile Road and I-94 with assistance from event director Mike Droogleever and Erin Liberty, members of the St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee.
The annual cleanup is important for the environment and the city of St. Clair Shores for several reasons. One of the entry points to the city is the 10-mile and I-94 exit ramp. A large number of drivers enter the city through the freeway, and it leaves a positive impression on the motorists. Another reason is the numerous catch basins at the ramp entrance are another reason for the cleanup. The basins lead to Lake Saint Clair. Trash that is discarded by either motorists or pedestrians could end up in the lake, polluting it.
Several unusual items have been discovered during the cleanup in the past. The majority of the items found are typical of those found during a cleanup by a freeway. Some of the items include love notes and a fake $100 bill that was printed on one side.
The I-94 ramp cleanup typically occurs in the spring and summer. From May through September, on the second Saturday of each month (plus extra special days). The cleanup was restricted to the 10-mile ramp due to a shortage of volunteers for today’s cleanup. Many of the freeway ramps that lead to the city of St. Clair Shores are typically covered by the annual I-94 cleanup.
On May 17 the St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee will be hosting the “Nautical Coast Cleanup.” They will be cleaning up several of St. Clair Shores’ beaches and parks. For more details, please go to the St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee website for details.
